pretty sure I ticked off sis

Ah yes, the stages of change... a favorite theory of those in health promotion.  While I know this in my  head, I can't deal with it with her (much like I can't deal with trying to get hubby to quit smoking without screaming at him).  How does it go...you treat the ones  you love the most the worst.

Thanks for the boost.  What is it that you do with stages of chage, or did you retain that from college psych?

Don't worry, Sarah.  I'm sure you're not fired as her sister   This brings up a tough issue about what it means to be supportive. Do you tell people what they want to hear, or what they need to hear, or just what you WANT to tell them?  It's a very tough balancing act most times.  And our own experiences / personalities come into play, it's almost impossible for them not to.  Me personally, I can't stand the thought of coddling people - but sometimes, that's what people need. Then again (and here's a big surprise I'm sure), I love to give people a good swift kick if I think it's really what is best for them. 

It's complicated, but one thing I like to think about is my motivation.  If that is coming from a place of love, I figure the person is going to realize that, even if it takes a little while for them to get over being pissed at me!  

Sometimes, people need to hear what they don't want to hear.

She wanted to hear you say that it was ok for her to skip her workout - and she didn't hear that.  Is that the end of the world?  No.

What shows that you love her more - that you go along w/ whatever she wants even if you know it's bad for her, or you tell her it's bad and tell her she needs to get it in gear?

For a while there (last year in my dark phase of not working out/excuse city) every time I'd talk to one of my family they'd ask if I'd been working out.  When I'd say no - they'd tell me to get my butt in gear.  Did I like hearing this? No.  Did I need to hear this? Yes.  (Now they keep bugging me about getting a doctor's appointment - if it's not one thing it's another.)

You either have excuses or results.  And, maybe, she needs to be nagged on a little bit.

I might've ticked her off...but she went to work out. 

She offered me this information without me asking, and when I asked her if she was glad she did.  I got an "eh, I guess." (I'm taking that as code for yes).

You know, I always feel the best after the workouts that were hardest to get to.  A great sense of accomplishment and pride. I hope she feels that way too, and just doesn't want to admit her baby sister was right.

Thanks all for words of wisdom and objectivity!

Congratulations and thanks for sharing the happy ending of this day!  You done good